Tony Stewart‘s brainchild, the Superstar Racing Series, has been hitting it out of the park this season, with NASCAR’s big guns, Denny Hamlin and the ever-controversial Kyle Busch, taking the checkered flag in their debut runs. And if that wasn’t enough to whet the appetite, fans were treated to a blast from the past with racing titans like Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte, Hélio Castroneves, Clint Bowyer, and more burning rubber on the track.

But the cherry on top for many aficionados has been the unscripted, off-the-cuff interviews of the SRX series, where the legendary drivers let their guard down. The latest feather in the cap for SRX devotees was a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Clint Bowyer playing the mentor role to the Brazilian Indycar speedster on the ins and outs of driving—a unique teachable moment that the latter had eagerly sought.

Did Clint Bowyer cheekily nudge the Indycar racing series to “breakdance?”

The 2023 SRX circuit, kicking off its six-race spree at Stafford Motor Speedway on July 13 with Denny Hamlin stealing the limelight, took its final bow at Lucas Oil Speedway on August 17, where Jonathan Davenport took the laurels. While the SRX chiefs have their sights set on a roaring 2024 season, they’ve been keeping the home fires burning with fans by sharing unseen gems from the past series.

In a recent social media blitz, SRX’s official Twitter account aired a delightful exchange between the former IndyCar Racing driver, Hélio Castroneves, and Clint Bowyer. Castroneves, with a hint of mock bewilderment, sought driving wisdom from Bowyer, admitting he felt like a fish out of water. Bowyer, always quick on the draw, quipped, “You want dancing with the stars; you get to break dancing on the pedals, buddy. Right here. In those two, right there. I am dirt; you can’t drive at your hand.”

The playful banter struck a chord with NASCAR enthusiasts. Fans showered accolades, with one gushing about Bowyer’s larger-than-life, no-holds-barred persona, stating, “Love Clint Bowyer & his huge, no holds barred, big personality!” while another echoed, “I loved these interviews! One of the many entertaining parts of SRX racing.”

Yet, even with such precious moments and roping in NASCAR bigwigs like Hamlin and Busch, the latest buzz suggests that the viewership for Tony Stewart’s showpiece event saw a dip this year.

Watch This Story: Tony Stewarts Team Under Scrutiny After Disappointing Regular Season With Ford

The Superstar Racing Experience Series’ viewership dropped by 56 percent

Trending

Martin Truex Jr’s Crew Chief Makes Heartbreaking 4-Word Racing Admission

May 04, 2024 04:11 PM EDT

Dodge’s NASCAR Legacy Walks the Tony Stewart Path as Ultimate Rescue Leaves Fans Jaw-Dropped

May 04, 2024 10:47 AM EDT

Tony Stewart’s ‘Little Bi**Es’ Warning Goes Wrong After Last Lap Horror in the Indy 800

May 04, 2024 04:25 PM EDT

Racing Community Goes Berserk as Tony Stewart Drops Surprising ‘Fans Double’ Announcement Amidst Indy Return

May 03, 2024 01:47 PM EDT

“I Was so Angry About it” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Left Frustrated Despite Dream Scenario Nearly Playing Out

May 03, 2024 04:40 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NASCAR stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

As per blackbookmotorsport.com, even with Tony Stewart pulling out all the stops in 2023 and roping in big-name stars, the Black Book report reveals that the series hit a snag, witnessing a sharp 56% plunge in its audience. In the 2023 season, SRX took a detour, shifting its six-race summer spotlight from network TV to the Disney-run ESPN channel after its two-year stint with CBS. This channel hop arguably hit them where it hurt, plummeting from a million viewers to a modest 436,000 per race.

The series also shifted gears from its traditional Saturday night showcase to a Thursday evening slot, making room for heavy hitters from NASCAR and IndyCar to join the roster.

But it’s not all doom and gloom for SRX. They’ve found a silver lining, spotting an uptick in the coveted 18-49 demographic, netting an average of 148,000 viewers per race. The viewership needle steadily moved north, revving up to over 600,000 for the grand finale. Moreover, SRX’s races were the hot ticket in town, with four out of six races selling out and three setting record-breaking attendance.

“Typical Tony [Stewart]” – Kevin Harvick Reveals His Boss’s Quirky Habit

With such strides, whispers in the racing alley suggest SRX is setting its sights on the global track, potentially flagging off international contests, possibly in Qatar or Saudi Arabia, by year’s end.

As the engines cool and the racing aficionados await the next SRX lap, it’ll be a sight to see which racing legends or fresh faces join the grid, especially with the buzz around international showdowns.